Crunch time for university strikes as possible deal is close

Photo Credit: Bradley Hayden

Talks between lecturers and university bosses over the pension strike have reached a crunch point.

Union chiefs are currently locked in talks with Universities UK over a possible deal which would end the dispute.

A number of lecturers at Brunel University have been striking since the end of last month, but a deal appeared to be close last night.

IKB Insider understands UCU talks are ongoing but will be expected to release a statement regarding current negotiations at around 3pm today.

Both parties appeared to have agreed a deal yesterday with the UCU describing a ‘transitional benefit agreement’. This would take effect on 1st April 2019 with employers paying 19.3% of salaries and members paying 8.7%.

However, it is unclear at this point whether union members will accept the agreement – and the talks today could be a defining moment in the dispute.

Brunel’s UCU Chair, Stanley Gaines was unavailable for comment as IKB Insider went to press. His latest tweet came last night when he said ‘Strike action continues tomorrow. Peter Wilkin will be our picket supervisor. We will meet at barrier near Mary Seacole building from 8am’.

More to follow as we get it.